Category: observations

Find The Right Fit: Picking A School For Your Child

Choosing the right school for your kids to go to is always going to be a difficult choice. But it’s also an important one for your child’s education. In fact, some people move just so they are closer to the dream school they have in mind for their children. Here are a few of the factors that you may want to consider when you are picking a school out for your own children.

Uniform Or No Uniform?

Not all schools have a uniform. There are plenty that don’t, and it’s debatable which is the best option here. The argument for uniforms is that it creates an idea of unity and a sort of shared group or character. There are other benefits of the uniform of course. It hides discrepancies in the socio-economic traits of different students. Ultimately, this one is going to be a personal choice. But don’t assume that schools with a uniform provide the best level of education. This isn’t always true. If you are insisting n a no-uniform school, be prepared to move around the country to find one. The only non-uniform school that I personally was aware of, Stantonbury Campus in Milton Keynes, recently took on a uniform policy.

Academic Achievement

When you start to look at schools, you should be searching for their level of academic achievement. Some schools love to brag about how they have the highest grades in the country. Others will focus on achievements in extracurricular activities or the level of support they provide to their students. You’ll usually find information like this on the school website. Schools like Leicester High School boast that 44 percent of their students reached A grades at GCSE level in 2016. Whereas Aberdeen Grammar School seems more inclined to draw attention to their high number of different faculties.

Teaching Standards

Teaching standards is another area where the best schools will be able to show off their score of ‘excellent.’ It is important to explore teaching standards before you choose a school. Some fantastically reviewed schools actually have rather terrible teaching standards. You need to make sure that your kids are getting the best teachers in their classes because it’s the only way they are going to get fantastic grades.

Beyond School

You might also want to check out the stats on school leavers. How many students end up going to university and of those, what percentage gain access to red brick institutions? These are answers that are going to be important in the future and that you must ask now.

No Bullying

On occasion, you will find a school that promises no bullying. It’s best to steer clear of these schools because there is no such thing as a school with no issues with bullying at all. The issue is apparent in all education systems. What you should be looking for is a zero tolerance policy for bullying. While it is likely that issues with bullying will still occur they will be dealt with promptly before they impact your child.

I hope you use this advice to find the right school for your child and ensure they get the high level of education that they deserve.

 

Boost The Value Of Your Home

Houses are expensive; they’re probably the single biggest purchase you will ever make in your life, so it makes sense to take care of them and do what you can to maximise your investment. Fortunately, there are lots of simple things you can do to boost the value of your home that will, mostly, not cost you too much.

Make more space

Homes that are spacious, light and airy tend to be more popular with buyers, so do what you can to make more space. This could mean knocking down walls to create an open-plan living area, or you could even buy a conservatory to add some square footage to your home. Try a big de-clutter challenge over spring. Just half an hour a day can make a huge difference!

Give the Garden Some Attention

The garden is the part of your home that makes the first impression. If it is unkempt, overgrown and generally dishevelled, buyers might just give the place a miss before ever getting inside. Luckily, it doesn’t have to cost much to get your garden looking good again, Mow the lawn, prune the bushes, kill any weeds and perhaps plant some flowers to ensure your garden is inviting rather than off-putting.

Outside there was a veggie patch to explore.
Outside there was a veggie patch to explore.

See the Light

Light is important. No one wants to live in a dark, dreary property, so if you are looking for a simple way to add value to your home, invest in some good lighting and consider adding more windows if the property will stand for it. Natural lighting is more important than  artificial lighting, so windows skylights and the like will add the most value.

Care for and Maintain

When you own a property, if you want it to either keep its value or ideally grow in value, you need to keep on top of repairs and maintenance. As soon as a problem rears its head, whether it be a leaking tap or an overgrowth of weeds, take steps to remedy the situation That way things will not get on top of your, and your home will always be in good condition. Keeping on top of repairs will also stop bigger problems from arising in many cases.

Leaky shed. The roof is nearly non-existent!
Leaky shed. The roof is nearly non-existent!

Spruce Up Your Kitchen

The kitchen is usually a big selling point, so do whatever you can to make it stand out and attract potential buyers. If you can afford it, you might consider a full kitchen remodel, depending on the current condition of your home, but if money is tight, simply giving it a new coat of paint can make all the difference.

Upgrade Your Flooring

Floors are important. A shabby looking carpet or scratched floor can put a buyer off in an instant, which is why you should consider spending a modest sum on upgrading your flooring. Solid wood floors are particularly good at adding value because they look and feel expensive, are easy to clean and can be maintained with relative ease.

If you are going to be living in your property for the long term, remember that any changes you make to add value to your home should also add to your quality of life – don’t make changes just because you think they will be useful in the future make them because they will improve things for you too.